Every week, I highlight a few players that you should target in waivers. I use the ESPN league data when filtering players, so the only players eligible for discussion here are those that are available on the waiver wire of at least 50% of ESPN’s leagues. I’ll list each player’s percentage-owned after their name so you have an idea of how available they are in leagues around the country. I’ll always try to mention a few players that are available in 90% of leagues for those of you in 12-team leagues or leagues with big rosters. I’ll rank them in the order I’d pick them up in a league with a high-performance, PPR scoring system.
QUARTERBACKS
1. Kyle Orton (38.4)
“Beard” (formerly “Neck Beard”) has posted 267 yards passing and 2.3 TD over the last three weeks. He’s definitely QB2 caliber now.
2. Marc Bulger (48.8)
Bulger resumes his starting duties this week.
3. Matt Ryan (43.4)
Ryan threw for 194 yards and two TD against he Packers, and almost had a third TD.
4. Chad Pennington (35.3)
Pennington has a nice matchup with the Texans in Week 6.
5. Gus Frerotte (16.1)
With the Lions on tap in Week 6, Frerotte is a good pickup this week.
6. JaMarcus Russell (46.5)
Russell seems to be playing better, and with the Saints coming up, he’s a viable spot starter.
7. Kerry Collins (25.2)
8. Joe Flacco (15.2)
9. J.P. Losman (0.6)
The Bills are on bye and Trent Edwards should be ready for Week 7, but if not, Losman will have some value.
10. Brodie Croyle (4.0)
Croyle will be the starter after KC’s bye.
11. Jeff Garcia (17.6)
With Griese nicked up, Garcia has a chance to reclaim the starting job.
RUNNING BACKS
1. Mewelde Moore (40.0)
Moore is starter caliber as long as Willie Parker is out.
2. Warrick Dunn (39.9)
Dunn continues to split touches with Graham, which makes him a decent flex/spot-starter play.
3. Justin Fargas (56.8)
Fargas is over our 50% threshold, but he’s back at practice and may be the starter if McFadden continues to nurse his turf toe.
4. Tim Hightower (42.7)
Hightower keeps vulturing goal line carries, so he has some value.
5. Michael Bush (34.3)
Productive when given the opportunity, Bush now has to deal with Fargas coming off an injury.
6. Derrick Ward (31.5)
Even though Brandon Jacobs re-established his grip on the starting job, Ward is still a backup with major upside.
7. Maurice Morris (20.2)
If he can get healthy, he’ll likely find himself back in a timeshare with Julius Jones.
8. Cedric Benson (10.2)
As Chris Perry continues to fumble, the chances that Benson can earn a bigger role continue to increase.
9. Ladell Betts (20.1)
Like Ward, Betts would become a starter caliber RB if something were to happen to Clinton Portis.
10. Kenny Watson (22.3)
Given Chris Perry’s fumbling problems, Watson has an outside chance for major
11. Leon Washington (30.2)
12. Ahman Green (26.6)
13. Brandon Jackson (24.2)
playing time now that he’s back with Cincy.
14. Fred Jackson (17.4)
15. Dominic Rhodes (13.6)
WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Bobby Engram (50.5)
8-61 in his return + Deion Branch injury = lots of opportunity for Bobby Engram.
2. Ike Hilliard (44.4)
Hilliard isn’t going to win any games single-handedly, but he’s a great backup in PPR leagues.
3. Brandon Stokley (10.4)
With Eddie Royal hobbled, Stokley shouldn’t have any problem continuing his hot run (13-132-1 over the last two weeks).
4. Steve Breaston (19.8)
As long as Anquan Boldin misses time, Breaston is a solid starter as a WR2 or WR3, especially in PPR leagues.
5. Devin Hester (27.0)
Is Hester catching on? His recent performance – eight catches for 93 yards and two TD over the last two weeks – says that maybe he is.
6. Chansi Stuckey (44.9)
7. Antwaan Randle El (41.6)
8. Amani Toomer (49.5)
9. Kevin Walter (40.5)
10. Mike Walker (0.1)
The second-year wideout has caught 11 passes for 153 yards over the last two weeks. He and David Garrard seem to be developing a rapport. There is a lot of upside here.
11. Greg Camarillo (3.1)
Over the last three weeks, Camarillo has 14 catches for 177 yards and a TD. He’s roster worthy in all PPR leagues.
12. Justin Gage (31.1)
I still like Gage. He’s the WR1 in Tennessee if he can just get healthy.
13. Ted Ginn (29.8)
After a dreadful start, Ginn has 12 catches for 104 yards over the last two weeks, which makes him an interesting pickup in PPR leagues.
14. Domenik Hixon (3.0)
He exploded with Burress out after catching three passes in each of the two previous games. Going forward, it’s tough to see him getting enough targets to be a regular fantasy starter.
15. Kevin Curtis (48.2)
Only Andy Reid knows how he’s going to fit in with DeSean Jackson and Reggie Brown.
16. Robert Meachem (40.5)
17. Matt Jones (33.2)
18. Josh Reed (30.8)
Reed has caught at least four passes in each of the last four weeks, which makes him fodder as a spot starter in PPR leagues.
19. Deion Branch (31.6)
Branch injured his right heel and did not return. He’s not worth picking up unless he’s able to play in the next week or two.
20. Jabar Gaffney (17.1)
He has nine catches for 85 yards and a TD over the last two weeks.
21. Nate Washington (0.7)
A big game against Jacksonville (6-94-1) gives a glimpse at Washington’s potential, but with Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes ahead of him, he probably won’t get enough targets to produce consistently.
TIGHT ENDS
1. Bo Scaife (50.4)
Scaife is a bona fide fantasy backup and one of the Titans’ biggest “weapons” in the passing game.
2. Zach Miller (25.4)
He has as much upside as anyone on this list, but he plays with an inconsistent QB in JaMarcus Russell.
3. Donald Lee (48.1)
Not quite as consistent as last year, but he’s a decent fantasy backup.
4. L.J. Smith (37.1)
He caught three passes for 26 yards in his return.
5. Dustin Keller (23.2)
A Favre favorite around the goal line.
6. Visanthe Shiancoe (20.1)
Production is up since Frerotte took over.
7. Kevin Boss (33.2)
He was a big disappointment in Week 5 with Burress out.
8. John Carlson (50.3)
Was his goose egg in Week 5 an indication of things to come?
#1 O.J. Simpson
